1 comments about Expert Service-Oriented Architecture in C# 2005, Second Edition.

1. If I could rate the first half of the book separately from the second half, I'd give the first half 1 star, because it's filled with junk and hype and stupid marketecture assertions about magical things that services do that ordinary components don't. Most of these assertions are simply false, the kind of "selling-it" nonsense that usually accompanies a bleeding-edge technology. Thing is, the edge isn't bleeding for Web Services or SOA any more, and we can see through the hype pretty clearly, but Hasan hasn't caught up. So the first half of the book is pretty useless, just as it was in the first edition.
   
   On the other hand, also just like the first edition, the second half is amazingly useful, dead-on practical, and totally hands-on. It's probably the most coherent summary of WSE 3.0 around, so the second half should get 5 stars. If you need to know how to get anything in WSE 3.0 up and running (and you should if your Web Services actually do anything significant), then the second half of this book is the first place you should look.

5 comments about Pro C# with .NET 3.0, Special Edition (Pro).

1. Clear and well presented book. Easy to read and seemingly covers most aspects. Experienced programmer but starting first C#.NET project and certainly best book I have purchased on this subject



2. Andrew Troelsen is an excellent author and knows how to explain things. The book covers in a detailed way the phylosophy of .net and the C# programming language. This is it's strength.
   On the other hand, I do think that the later chapters are misguided. We have a chapter about .net remoting, another one on Windows forms, and then a short introduction to the .NET 3.0 stuff like WPF, WF and WCF. Well, I bought the book for the 3.0 material. Why didn't they call the book:
   
   "Pro C# 3.0 with short intro to .NET 3.0"?
   
   Best regards,



3. This book allowed to literally give away 3 rows of programming books. Apress always does a good job on their publications. This book is really all an experienced C# programmer needs in his library (aside from a good ASP.net) book for web design techniques



4. Like Andrew's other books, this book is well written. It is an excellent resource for C# syntax, concepts, and under the hood workings. Unlike other technical resources, this book reads easy. The author doesn't jump full bore into a deep technical discussion without building and explaining concepts through concise, yet simple, language and numerous examples. A recommended desk ornament for any hard core programmer.



5. Fresh from bashing the bloated idiots' mind-dump produced by Wrox on this subject I felt compelled to put in a glowing endorsement of this very well written book. It's a fairly meaty book, intermediate to advanced I think, but so well written it's a joy to read.

5 comments about C# for Java Developers (Pro-Developer).

1. i could have sworn this book was from microsoft press. This book did a *great* job of being unbiased, and presented "just the facts". It did so in such a clear manner as well, straightforwardly laying out the similarities and differences between java and C#, and each's strengths and weaknesses (briefly).

   definitely recommended!




2. This was truely an amazing book, I've read many .NET books, all of which assume zero knowledge of programming, or very little. So when I skipped the first few chapters, or skipped them (Since I've been a Java Developer for several years), I missed valuable differences between Java and .NET.

   Be sure you do know your stuff in Java, or else this book will seem over your head. This is not a beginners book. But if you're a Java developer, or have similar programming experience, this book is 100% for you.

   My only quirk with this book, is that at times, it's more of a refrence/comparison, over how to use several key .NET features. And it seemed to jump around a little. So actually I'd probably rate this book a 4.75...but rounding up gives us a 5, which it pretty much deserves.

   I highly recomend this book out there for anyone who is NOT a beginner programmer, or comes from a Java background. This book is a MUST read for you.




3. This books hits the spot for java developers, the intended audience. A one page description on delegates, for example, has all the information you need to get started with delegates. The Oreilly book has a long winded chapter on it and the essence was lost in the obtuse example provided.



4. After about 5 years as a java developer, I took a new job as a .NET / C# developer. This book was a great starting point for me. Going from java to c# is a relatively easy transition, but this book makes it much easier and quicker. The book compares the two languages and highlights the differences which made it easier for me to pick up. I'm not a person who reads many books, for work or pleasure, so I don't have much to compare it with. But out of the 10 or so books in my work library, this is the second best book I've used. (The best I own is Effective Java. I'd really like to get one like that for c#.)



5. As an experienced Java developer who was "forced" to move into the C# and .NET world, I turned to this book to help me make that transition. I am very glad I did so. This book provided nearly all of the background I needed for that transition, and it still serves as my primary C# reference a year later. (By the way, working in the C# and .NET world is not as bad as I feared it would be.)
   
   If you are accustomed to Java and new to the world of .NET and Microsoft books in general, you will find the majority of these books to be written for a less sophisticated audience than you are used to. My advice is to be very cautious what you spend your money on, as many of the books about Microsoft programming topics are not worth the investment.
   
   This book, however, is very much worth the money you will spend on it.

5 comments about XSLT for Dummies.

1. I like the approach the author has taken to ease you into the subject of XSLT. It's not overly verbose and is quite an entertaining read considering the subject matter at hand. Compared to the other XSLT introductory books around this one has kept my attention from cover to cover.
   
   I find that a lot of my peers are put off by the Dummies series of books because they hold themselves in such high regard that reading a book by such a title will inevitably lower their IQ. If you are a person of such ilk and looking to learn XSLT then drop the pretension of superiority and grab yourself a copy of this great book.



2. This is just a cool book. It's VERY easy to understand and has great examples.



3. I usually find myself slogging through programming books, trying to keep my eyes open, but XSLT for Dummies was one of the more enjoyable programming books I've read in a while.
   
   The material is presented concisely with humor injected to keep the tone light. Great intro for the price!



4. Actually, this book would be pretty good if you could wade through all the stupid analogies that are supposed to make the subject accessible. Each chapter begins with a bunch of really stupid examples that are simply distracting. Writing a match statement is like collecting groceries in a grocery store -- fetching the milk and cookies for your mom, etc., etc. The book is so full of this dreadful stuff that it becomes completely unreadable.



5. Really good intro book - You should read this book and then pick up another more detailed title to really get "under the hood" of XSLT.

1 comments about SharePoint 2007 and Office Development Expert Solutions (Programmer to Programmer).

1. This book is truly a treasure chest of insightful solutions for anyone involved with SharePoint development. One test of a programming book is how often one refers to it. This is one of those books that a SharePoint developer will always keep within reach on any SharePoint project.
   
   This is not a fan boy book that simply regurgitates product information. This book was written by three Microsoft SharePoint experts who have managed to convey a massive amount of useful SharePoint knowledge across the entire breadth of the product, including both WSS (Windows SharePoint Services) and MOSS (Microsoft Office SharePoint Server) 2007.
   
   The book chapters break down as follows:
   Chapter 1: What's new for developers in MOSS 2007
   Chapter 2: Understand SharePoint 2007 Services and Architecture
   Chapter 3: Programming SharePoint Lists and Libraries
   Chapter 4: XML Web Services and Extensibility in Office 2007
   Chapter 5: User Interface Development
   Chapter 6: SharePoint Application Services
   Chapter 7: Building Business Intelligence Applications
   Chapter 8: Creating custom Workflows
   Chapter 9: Web Content Management
   Chapter 10: Content Management and Workflow Scenario
   
   Each of these chapters contains very detailed examples for both the developer and non-developer readers of how to implement workflows, develop web parts, manage Excel Services and handle Web Content Management, to name a few of the subject areas. There is so much information in this book that a developer will find themselves referring to it continuously to assist in creating SharePoint solutions.
   
   This is truly an amazing book and a "must-have" for SharePoint developers.

5 comments about Programming SQL Server 2005.

1. As a new student to the field of SQL Server 2005, I was hoping to obtain a book learning the various methods of programming in SQL Server 2005. I was initially hearted by the first paragraph in the preface:
   
   "You don't need to be an experienced SQL Server 2005 programmer to use this book..."
   
   which is indeed the case if you intend to use it as a paper weight.
   
   The book suspiciously looks like the syntax guide found in most MS products: the procedure name and inputs followed by a description of the inputs. It is not for the beginner/intermediate learner and is somewhat of a disappointment comming from the O'Reilly range ("SQL on SQL Server 2005" is an excellent counter point to the book being reviewed from the same publisher). This book serves mainly as a reference (which on page 7, it clearly states that it is not a reference) to new doctrine in the SQL Server evolution.



2. This is definitely one of my best SQL programming books. It covers the newer programming concepts; such as XML storage and handling in SQL 2005, very well.
   
   I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is serious about SQL Server 2005 programming.
   
   It also covers CLR programming in SQL Server. Good book.



3. User does not have to be experience SQL Server 2005 programmer to use this book; as it is designed for users of all levels. This book also suggests that user does not have to be experienced with SQL Server 2000. However, I disagree with that. This book only covers new features of SQL Server 2005. Understanding of fundamental relational database concepts is helpful to digest and accept the concepts introduced in this book.
   
   This book covers following perspective of SQL Server 2005 new features.
   * Tools and utilities
   * Data types
   * T-SQL enhancements
   * Programmability enhancements
   * XML support
   * Native XML web services
   * SQL Management Objects
   * SQL Server Integration Services
   * SQL Server Reporting Services
   * SQL Server Notification Services
   * SQL Server Service Broker
   * Replication Management Objects
   * SQL Server Agent
   * SQL Server Mobile Edition
   
   The code used in the book is available for download on O'Reilly web site. I always like this as I really do not like to retype examples from the book. Most of the examples of this book use C# code and Visual Studio 2005. One good thing about this book is it uses AdventureWorks sample database, I always prefer book which uses samples database which comes along the SQL Server, this makes it easily useable by developer. This book is also Safari enabled.
   
   Appendix of this book has in depth explanation of the ADO.NET 2.0, which can be quite useful to users interested in the topic. There are very few good books which covers this topic such in depth.
   
   Rating: 4 stars
   
   Summary: This book is quite good for new learning; I enjoy reading it and learning new concepts from this book.
   
   Pinal Dave
   Principal Database Administrator
   (blog.sqlauthority.com)



4. This book is very inaccessible, not because it is too complex, but because it is poorly written. If you'd like to actually learn SQL Server programming I'd recommend Professional SQL Server 2005 Programming (Programmer to Programmer).



5. This book covers nearly all topics on SQL Server programming. It begins with the differences between the SQL Server 2000 and 2005. 2005 has new tools (SSMS, Profiler, BIDS, command line), data types, xml support, and .NET integration. Chapters 1-4 go over these topics in turn. The next series shows the reader how to program using the Visual Studio IDE, deal with XML programming, and web services (Chaptes 5-8). Chapters 9-14 are on programming SQL Server management and reporting tools plus interfacing with the objects exposed by SQL Server through .NET. The remaining chapters are on programming services: SS agent, intergrations services, broker, notification services, and analysis services.
   
   The book is quite thourough and has a large number of examples, code, and pictures for each topic. The book is generally easy to read and well indexed. Programmers will feel right at home with all the extra help provided by the book.
   
   Folks who have no programming experience of any kind will likely struggle with the information in the book. Basic SQL is shown but not explained. It is clear the book is meant for people programming and/or automating SQL Server topics rather than just running basic queries. That being said, the chapter on XML was very helpful even from just a querying point of view. Using XML as a bulk load technique was particuarly useful and turned out to be very fast when loading text based data to the server. Querying XML data was covered by using both FOR XML statements and using XQuery type statements. The chapter sovering SSIS was also very useful as there is not much material on SSIS yet.
   
   This book is a must have for SQL Server DBAs, programmers, and professionals.

5 comments about Extreme Programming Adv in C# (DV-Microsoft Professional).

1. This is a hard-to-come-by book. I think it's especially useful for someone programmed for less than 10 years or not ever get trained by computer science. The book uses C# which I am very happy with, but it's more like "Extrme Programming Adventures" in any lanaguage.
   
   I learned a lot from the technique delivered by the author, ex. test,test,always write a test before coding (Don't be lazy,it'll bite u back sooner or later if you don't). I can't appreciate this more after three days of practicing that I feel more comfortable to continue my three and half year fluid dynamics project now. Before doing this, I do test but I always test in "kinda of" state. Check it out, see if you code in that state, lol.
   
   Futhermore, the way to write test for GUI application enlightens me too, 'cause I never actually write test for GUI and don't know how. If you have the same problem, the book has a solution for you.
   
   Personally, the nice thing about the book is that the way he wrote the book makes me think he's no better than me when he's coding :) XP is not about how to design and setup the project( which I thought what it was, maybe there's another book for this), but several ways that can help you to code with more confidence without being a master.



2. I like Ron's writing style, but the code samples in the book bore only superficial relationship to the text. I expected to be able to sit down with this book and follow along, but I could not because the disconnect between code and text was so great that I couldn't bear to read any further. The book sits, unfinished by me, which is fitting since it was left unfinished by Ron and the publisher.



3. Ron Jeffries has been in the industry far longer than many, and his deep and personal insight is very valuable to the modern programmer.
   
   This book is not about source code. It's marginally about a software project. It's about the process of making decisions, developing habits, coping with personal style, knowing one's shortcomings, and listening to intuition. It reveals the mind of a master craftsman plying his trade.
   
   Ron is kind enough to provide a constant stream of knowledge gems in the form of "soundbyte" tips and literature references. Cull it for the bibliography alone and you'll get your money's worth.
   
   Mr. Jeffries makes programming a human task. How many of us have been asked to develop something far beyond our knowledge using previously unknown tools? I believe programmers who read this book will gain confidence and pride in their trade.



4. I noticed that one reviewer below had issues with the code matching the text. I will start with saying this is sometimes true. Some things were not exactly as the text assumed them to be if you were typing in text as you went along. Now, let me say that none of the omissions were that horrific. I actually learned a lot from figuring out how to get the code to compile and get all of the tests to pass even when the in-text code wasn't as it should have been. I learned a bit about internal C# structure this way as well. I should note that this was also my first exposure to C# as well. But I do have a few years of C and java under my belt (I skipped C++, why go partially OO? ;). And none of the code is really disconnected as the previous reviewer implied. The only disconnects I noticed were those between code previously written and the current code in some sections of the book. The examples always matched the narrative.
   
   All that being said, as Mr. Cabral pointed out, the book is not about the code. It is about a process and methodology. And it covers that material thoroughly and amiably. Mr. Jeffries' writing style makes you feel like he's sitting with you over coffee relating a tale about some issues he had on a road trip. You could almost call the book, "Zen and the Art of Test Driven Development."
   
   All in all, I highly recommend the book. And I highly suggest the other reviewer pick the book back up and work through it. It's worth it. Don't even worry about the code. Learn the process.
   
   The only reason I don't give the book five stars is that the code issues weren't intentional. I might leave the code as it is but note the omissions and leave them as exercises for the reader if they so desire.
   
   However, to Mr. Jeffries, I took copious notes in the book and saved versions using SVN as I worked through the code. So if you want the notes and/or the archive let me know - kevin dot gp at gmail.



5. I was coming back to Amazon to order a copy of this book to have with me at my new company. I read this book a few years back and I wanted some help explaining the vision of unit testing and agile development to my new team. This book was more an inspiration to me to write better code and be more agile in my methods than it was a learning tool for either the C# language or an XML publishing tool. I am disappointed at some of the negative reviews because those readers obviously bought the book for the wrong reason.
   
   Perhaps it is important for people to understand that this book will not teach you C# and the author has no intention of being the C# expert (at least not in this book). The point is not to teach you how to write C# code or use the .net libraries effectively. The point is to teach you extreme programming from one of the experts.
   
   In this book Ron lets you pair program with him as he attempts to write some new software that he needs. The software could be anything and for anyone. What he does well is develop the software quickly and with good clean code. He teaches you how to refactor and why. He teaches you how write unit tests and provide good test coverage for your application. He teaches you to write the right features and build software that will make your customers/clients happy. I would highly recommend developers that want to get into agile software development to read this book.

5 comments about MCAD/MCSD Self-Paced Training Kit: Developing Windows®-Based Applications with Microsoft® Visual Basic® .NET and Microsoft Visual C#® .NET, Second Ed (Pro-Certification).

1. I'd just like to say something. I finished reading this book from the very beginning a week ago to the very end this morning, and passed the exam with a score of 940 this afternoon. I don't know any other exam prep book for the same exam.
   
   - Admittedly, the book is pretty shallow: it even teaches you what class/construstor/destructor/inheritance/etc are. To an old day VB'er unfamiliar with .NET/OOP stuff, or to any .NET beginner, this might be nice. But to most, especially to those specilized in C# (very likely also in C++), or to whoever is about to take an exam towards a certified developer, this is not necessary at all. I wish the book had covered some really advanced topics and/or gone deeper on existing topics.
   
   - As for the exam, my personal opinion is that this book should be enough, as long as you also get some hands-on experience by actually messing around with .NET desktop apps for a while. Deskop apps are not my strong area and I rarely develop apps using .NET Windows Forms. But the book helped me with all the questions on the actual exam about desktop apps so I could pass the exam with ease. Without the book I doubt I could get the passing score of 700. A similar book might also help me that much, but I only needed one and this one was what I used.
   
   - I'm not giving the book 5-star because this is going to be a useless book once read or once you passed the exam. I'm also not giving the book 3-star or lower because this is a well-written book after all, and with some hands-on experience, you should have little trouble passing the exam if you fully understand what the book tries to tell you.



2. This book has some highlights, but it is tightly authored to the VS.NET version it comes bundled with. Some folks will find this a bonanza, but that's only if you're willing to rubber-stamp your exam. There's abundance of Wizard code specific to VS.NET 2003 version. I am working with VC# Express 2005 and many of the things are N/A in this environment. ... anyway, I could sort my way out by looking at the samples and learn that what used to be a Control is nothing more than a Class that derives from Controls and some additional boilerplate.
   
   To make things worst, this book assumes you will be using Wizards and dispenses any explanation on why / how things work.
   
   In addition to all the above, by 11/2005 standards the book itself is dated as C# does include now support for generics, which is not present in this book.
   
   I still do give it a 3 just because I like some of the stuff, and it simplifies a couple of learning points.
   
   BTW: A good POV on using Wizards is here -->
   http://charlespetzold.com/etc/DoesVisualStudioRotTheMind.html



3. I'm an experienced vb6 programmer and looked for a book to help me make the switch. I found this book diving into issues without giving you any prerequisites. I had a hard time understanding where he wants to take me.



4. this product is awesome,but ull need extra help to get cert.
   you can get more help in this link
   (getcert's POST)
   
   http://www.mcse.ms/message2132798.html
   
   thanks



5. This book was needed as a study guide for people at my company to take the MCP test. It is very informative with great examples.

No comments about Programming ASP.NET 3.5.

5 comments about Visual Basic 2005 Express: Now Playing (Book and CD edition).

1. Well written, understandable for all of us "non-geeks", and even amusing. Thanks Mr Wang for a big boost!!



2. This book answered all my questions about how to build functions, procedures and modules.



3. It appears to be written for a non-current version of VB Express 2005. Much of the code will not work with the version that you download today from Microsoft. (It might work with the version on the CD, but who wants to be stuck with an old program?) Some of the programs from the CD will give you "build errors" if you try to run them,
   
   This is a common problems with publishers trying to have the first available book for a program. But they usually work off of a beta, not the finished product. In this case, it's a real pain for the unwary student.



4. Although this book is written for absolute beginner and some of the explanation of concepts can be skipped, I like the way Wallace Wang introduced how to use the ToolBox items with simple example without having to type a lot or spend too much time on changing the property of toolbox item. It is simple, yet powerful to get a grasp of new VB2005 and its upgraded user interface. The CD ROM may be a little too much for me, but maybe would do for an absolute beginner who had never used the VS series. If you know VB or other programming language, you can finish this book in 1-2 days and be really familiar with VB2005.
   I liked the hint of jokes that he included in the example.. It would have been a lot more fun if he could write more expressively as he did in Beginning Programming For Dummies (Beginning Programming for Dummies)



5. Visual Basic 2005 Express: Now Playing (Book and CD edition)I have been learning visual basic now for 1-1/2 years spent alot of money on expensive books that are written for people who have probably 5 years experience. I highly recommend this book for beginneers the author makes it very easy to understand codeing, i learnn't more in the first 30 pages than i did with $150.00 worth of the other books.
   Great Book and thanks